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Running Dictation: A reading, speaking, listening and writing race
Pairs race. A short text is on the wall. The runner reads a line, runs back and says it, and the writer writes it down. They swap jobs, check against the text, and the first perfect copy wins a point for the team.
Free, no sign-in. A4 and US Letter. Answer keys included.
The how-to-teach video comes out on Tue 10 Nov.
- Ages 8 to adult: Kids, teens, adults
- Beginner +: About A1 to B2
- 15 minutes: Two or three texts
- One short text: Paper and a pencil per pair
- All 4 skills: Read, say, listen, write
Free printables
Everything you need for the game, ready to print in black and white.
- Teacher guide and wall texts (5 pages, PDF): How to play on one page, three large-print texts to stick on the wall (Starter, Core, Harder) and a strip story to cut up. A4 · US Letter
- Writer's sheet (1 page, PDF): Two half-page sheets for the writer: lines for the copy, the phrases, and a box to tick when the copy is perfect. A4 · US Letter
- Worksheet: Support, Core, Challenge (4 pages, PDF): Capital letters and full stops, find the six mistakes, and put the story in order, with a QR code for home practice and an answer key. A4 · US Letter
Running Dictation in four steps
- Put the text on the wall. Choose a text of four to eight lines, a little easier than your class level. Stick it on the wall, away from the desks, and clear the bags out of the way.
- Make pairs. In each pair one student is the runner and one is the writer. Teach three phrases first: "Say it again, please", "How do you spell…?" and "full stop".
- Read, run, say it. Say go. The runner reads a few words, runs back and says them. The writer writes them down. The text stays on the wall, and nobody shouts.
- Swap and check. Swap jobs halfway. When a pair finishes, they check their copy against the text and fix every mistake. The first perfect copy wins a point for the team.
Tip: Use one freeze signal to keep the noise in check: raise your hand, count down from three, and everyone freezes. Two or three texts is plenty, then start the lesson.
Easier: Add picture clues next to each line, use a shorter text, or let runners walk. Harder: Put the text outside the door, use a longer text, or cut it into strips around the room so pairs put the story in order.
A text you can put up right now
Mr Moon's Cat, the text from the video
Copy it in big letters and stick it on the wall:
- Mr Moon has a pet cat.
- Her name is Lulu.
- She sleeps all day
- and sings all night!
Two longer texts (Core and a news story for teens and adults) and a strip story are in the free wall texts.
Teach these phrases first
Say it again, please., How do you spell …?, Is that a full stop?, Slow down, please.
Runners say the punctuation too: "full stop", "comma", "question mark". Writers ask whenever they miss a word.
Why it works
The runner has to remember and say the words clearly, and the writer has to ask when they miss something, because the pair needs a perfect copy to win. Every question and every spelling is real communication with a partner, not a drill.
What you need
One short text on the wall, and paper and a pencil for each pair. About 15 minutes for two or three texts. The free printables above cover everything else.
Practise at home
The worksheet QR code opens the Animals word search, free, no sign-in.
Make an Animals Crossword
Spelling practice on the board after the race. Free, no AI needed. Make it free
More classroom games
- Human Bingo: The ice breaker for any class, seminar or training day
- Yes, No, Stand Up: A no-prep energizer before class starts, for kids, teens and adults
- Find the Spy: A hidden-role speaking game for kids, teens and adults
- Who's the Leader?: A no-prep energizer for kids, teens and adults
- Who Stole the Pumpkin?: A Halloween mystery speaking game for teens
- Ghost Story Chain: A Halloween speaking game for teens
- Draw My Monster: A Halloween listening game for kids and teens
Running Dictation FAQ
What do I need for Running Dictation?
One short text on the wall, and paper and a pencil for each pair. The free printables have three ready texts at different levels, a strip story and a writer's sheet.
How do I stop it getting too loud?
Agree one freeze signal before you start: raise your hand, count down from three, and everyone freezes. Runners whisper, and nobody shouts across the room.
Does it work with a big class?
Yes. Put up several copies of the text around the room so runners don't crowd one wall, and play in teams of two pairs. With little space, runners walk.
What language does it practise?
All four skills: reading the text, saying it, listening and writing it down. It also practises spelling out loud, punctuation and asking "Say it again, please".
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